Saturday, November 28, 2009

Gospel PassageLuke 21:25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and onthe earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and thewaves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is comingupon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then theywill see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads,because your redemption is drawing near.” 34 “Be on guard so that yourhearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and theworries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. Forit will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert atall times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these thingsthat will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Questions for Discussion:1. Just like we have the four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall), thechurch has “seasons.” We are entering into the church’s season of Advent.Advent means “coming.” Who is coming that we are getting ready for? Whenis that person coming?

2. Jesus talks about his second coming when he says, “they will see the Son ofMan coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” How are you preparingyourself for this coming, so that it won’t “catch you unexpectedly”?

3. Jesus tells us to “be ready at all times.” We’re called to be watching for Him, to be alert to Him, to His voice, to His action, especially in the sacraments. How much do you pay attention at Mass? What can you do to become more alert?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Saturday, November 21, 2009

FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING There is a saying in Theology: "The Church prays what she believes." We pray to God the Father in the Preface for the Feast of Christ the King. "You annointed Jesus Christ, Your only Son, with the oil of gladness, as the eternal Priest and universal King. As Priest He offered His life on the altar of the Cross and redeemed the human race as this one perfect sacrifice of peace. As King He claims dominion over all creation that He may present to You, His almighty Father, an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace." As we pray today, so we believe that Jesus showed what kind of King He was by dying on the Cross. The Kingdom that He gives to the Father embraces all and brings holiness and salvation to all.used with permission = Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Gospel PassageJohn 18:33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus,and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Doyou ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilatereplied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests havehanded you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “Mykingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, myfollowers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you area king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, andfor this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs tothe truth listens to my voice.”

Questions1. We celebrate the feast of Christ the King. The whole point of life is to enterinto His Kingdom. How do we enter into His Kingdom?

2. The Son of God took flesh and was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary “inorder to testify to the truth about God the Father.” What do you think the most important truth is that Jesus came to testify to?

3. Jesus says, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Howhard do you try to listen carefully to Jesus’ voice everyday? How well do youdo those things that Jesus asks — in the readings of the Bible, in prayer —every day? How well do you put what Jesus says into practice? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEAs we come near to the end of the liturgical year andprepare for Advent, the Church asks us to focus on the endof our lives and on the end of time. It is a reminder that wewill reign with God so we need now to live our lives awarethat we are destined to live with the Lord Jesus. Time has anend; eternity does not. Jesus reminds us that we do notknow the day or the hour when times ceases and eternitybegins, so we need to be ready each day.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Gospel PassageMark 13:24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will bedarkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will befalling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Thenthey will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds,from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learnits lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, youknow that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things takingplace, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, thisgeneration will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, northe Son, but only the Father.

Questions for Discussion:1. 1. Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not passaway.” His words are eternal, they last forever. Do you spend time daily listening to the words of Jesus and following Him?

2. Jesus says that only the Father in heaven knows the “day or the hour” ofthe end of the world. Jesus said that not even He knew exactly when it wouldtake place. If even Jesus didn’t know, can any earthly person know? What should your response be to such claims?

3. Since we do not know the day or the hour, it could come anytime. What should you do to be ready? What can you do each day to prepare yourself for Heaven?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Gospel PassageMark 12:38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walkaround in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say longprayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” 41 He sat downopposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into thetreasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came andput in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he calledhis disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put inmore than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of themhave contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has putin everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Questions for Discussion:1. Who gives more: the person who has only one penny and gives it away tohelp someone else? – or a person who has a million dollars and gives onehundred dollars to the poor? Jesus says the person who gave away ALL of hismoney to the poor and has none left.

2. How much money — of your allowance, or gifts, or piggy bank money —do you think you could give as a young person to build up God’s church?What do you think would be a generous amount to give away and why?

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary TimeWhen we give and share as the Lord requests of us, the Lord takes care of us. The widow in Zarephath used up all her food to feed Elijah. Her jar of flour and her jug of oil did not run out. Her trust in God was rewarded. The poor widow in the Gospel was rewarded by Jesus for giving of her poverty. Trusting in God and trusting God is rewarded by God.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Resources for the Catholic Family

Prayer to the Holy Family

Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made subjectto Mary and Joseph, did consecrate domestic life byYour unspeakable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of your Holy Family, and may attain to its everlasing fellowship. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.